Chasing History: Chase Maier on Track to Break State Record

Speed, endurance, and determination一Chase Maier has shown it all in the pool, earning recognition as this week’s Athlete of the Week. Senior, Chase Maier, was praised by his coach, Erik Enslen for constantly displaying the E.A.S.T values: Excellence, Academics, Spirit, and Tradition.

Maier’s love for swimming began at a young age. In seventh grade, he joined a year-round team after competing on a summer swim team. As a committed swimmer, Maier appreciates the close relationships with teammates that have enabled them to grow and aim for victory at the state championship events.

Erik Enslen, head coach of East Boys Swim and Dive, views Maier as a leader to his teammates and a role model for the younger swimmers, praising his work ethic, dedication, and ability to bring the team together.

“He has been a team captain for two years and leads the team by example,” Enslen said. “He works consistently hard and always looks for ways to get better.”

Although Maier has already shown success as a senior, he is performing at an even higher level this year. His leadership in the pool and dedication to training have made him a standout member of the team.

“I’m looking to break the state record in the 500 free which has been there since 2012,” Maier said. “I would need to drop less than a second off my time that I had back in December.”

Dave and Laura Maier, Chase’s parents, are extremely proud of the young man Chase is growing into. They notice Chase’s consistent work ethic and how it separates him, helping him to overcome challenges and maintain focus on his goals. They also value the fact that he has taken on bigger responsibilities in his academic career and his leadership position on the swim team.

“When he has a goal, he will put in the work until he accomplishes that goal. His determination and perseverance have helped him both as a student and as an athlete,” his parents said. “ He has always been a good student and a good athlete, but over the past couple of years, he has demonstrated maturity, responsibility, and accountability.”

Chase’s coaches continue to acknowledge his leadership and effort, proving that his commitment to the team extends beyond the pool. He always looks for methods to help his teammates, whether he is competing or not.

“Chase attends all competitions in order to support the team even when he is not swimming,” Enslen said.

The pre-meet ritual of East’s swimming team is crucial to their success since it boosts focus and unity before important rivalry matchups. The swimmers join together in the locker room for team talks that motivate and encourage everyone.

“Before big rivalry meets we all go into the locker room and have speeches with the team to hype everyone up,” Maier said.

Maier’s parents emphasize Chase’s ability to balance academics and athletics and how it has helped teach him valuable lessons like time management and recovery.

“He practices 6 days a week and usually has morning and evening practices at least a couple of times a week,” Maier’s parents said. “Maintaining this kind of schedule has taught Chase valuable time management skills. He has also learned how to fuel his body, how much rest he needs, and the recovery strategies that work for him.”

His parents are very optimistic about what the future holds for Chase as he moves forward in life, confident that his dedication, discipline, and strong character will continue to guide him. They believe that his passion for his academics and athletics will pave the way for him to succeed in the path he chooses to pursue.

“He has taken more responsibility for his academics and has worked as a swim instructor the past couple of summers,” Maier’s parents said. “He has accepted the responsibility that goes along with attending a military academy and the commitment to serving his country after his time at the Naval Academy.”

With his sights set on enrolling in the US Naval Academy, Maier is looking to pursue a career in mechanical engineering. His dedication to both sports and academics has made him a disciplined person who can handle the high standards of both. His parents do not doubt that his persistence and work ethic will enable him to succeed in his chosen career and position him for an excellent future.

Looking ahead, Chase’s journey is marked by his leadership and unwavering focus, both in the pool and beyond. With the help of his coaches and family, as well as a clear vision for his future, Maier is ready to take on the difficulties that lie ahead. He demonstrates maturity and readiness to contribute to the Navy by balancing leadership responsibilities, athletics, and academics.

Written by Seniors Morgan Luberda and Zach Jacobson . Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.